Akai MPC One vs Live 2 - Thoughts and Discussion

That beat in the background kept my soul alive 🤣👍

Cheers for the video 🎉Old mpc user here , just ordered a new gen mpc. Anyone know why they're lefthanded these days ? 🍻

I just need it to pump out beats not melody

Just feel it don't master like the computer because it doesn't have the storage

Feel like live 2 is for more dj situations

Why does no one ever show how the speakers actually sound?

I love the format of the MPC One, but no wifi for updates is a dealbreaker. The MPC Live 2 is an entirely better proposition for myself. Just add wifi and I would buy an MPC One for that alone.

i got the mashine mk3 , because i couldnt afford the + version , happy i didnt cause the plus is so bad as a just standalone device , i just recently got my self a live 2 and love it , still use my mk3 in the studio , but i keep my live everywhere with me throughout the streets and my house

class compliant audio/midi expansion pretty much kills the live now . the one is smaller , more portable , cheaper and expandable now if you need it . don't worry about the speakers , spend the money on some good studio reference headphones that you can actually work accurately with

I sold the mpc one think it has better layout then live but akai idk I liked air flavor pro but they really been messing up updates for me lately. and I’m not feeling the direction the company is going personally, I bought a iPad Pro going to see what I can do on iOS mobile setup. the mpc still real chunky I think Mobile will be the future

Looking to get the Live 2. Mostly for portability. Use an X in the studio. Also tried the Akai Force, real cool sequencer but given the recent update and new plugins. The live would make a more complete production machine.

You go camping to be out in the wild not to make beats 😂

Using the pads to select what you see on the screen is a big time saver. With the new options to set favorites it will be just as fast as an mpc one,almost. Been a maschine guy since it came out, but akai does a whole lot more updates,and the cpu is alot better compared to the atom in my maschine plus. If i like the update,i will probably s3ll my moc one and get a live 2 for mobility,sell the plus and just get an mk3,wich i will use with my new asus rog x13 in tablet mode wich will make it more portable than the plus (and the 12th gen i7 12700k has 28000 cpu benchmark,better than a 10 core macbook pro wich hits 25000,great battery life and portable as a 13.3 inch hybrid laptop/tablet and that way i will be able to use all my komplete instruments,instead of the few you get now and after a year still nothing extra. Ni missed the ball with the plus imo.

Don't like the workflow in the Live 2. Traded it in for the One. Too much menu diving. I'm coming from using old MPC's so I appreciate the buttons. I can live without speakers and a battery

good video...Now which one would you recommend for live DJ work?I mean turntables,CDJ,live percussion,analog synth,efx processor, at one time..MPC One?Live 2?MPC X?

I'm getting the MPC One

holding menu and hitting corresponding pad on screen menu should provide that quick access

Mpc one is incredible just need to learn it more

Hey Tefty, thanks for making the comparison video, I hope you get a lot from your new MPC Live 2. I don’t know why the synth community get dismissive about electronic gear and speakers. If gear has inbuilt speakers it says portable to me, not amateur. They’re never going to replace studio monitors, they’re there to give you a guide or feel of how your production is progressing. The OP-1, Volcas, Casiotones like the new CT-S1000V and Pocket Operators have speakers and they’re all portable to facilitate making music wherever you go. I can see the rationale behind the MPC Live 2 which is ideal for gigging. As I don’t gig, investing in an MPC One, its price, facilities, small footprint and the possibility of adding a Tascam Model 12 (as per your excellent demo) in my home studio are a very appealing alternative to relying on my Cubase. Thanks again.

I got the Live 2 Retro. The SSD was the major selling point for me. I like the MPC One....but now that I have the Live 2....Im good.

Hey Tefty,
Great video and thanks for helping me decide which mpc to buy. Also, I would like to know what music keyboard/synthesizer, with all of the red leds that is on the top shelf, behind you?

I could fit this in my RUCKSACK!

Other than the size of the pads, do you find any difference in the sensitivity or "up down" characteristics of the pads on the One vs. the Live?

For me, the MPC Studio is probably the best mobile option. I have my laptop with me anyway (and currently use it with an MPD226).

Great info! Thank u!

Great video

Love the relaxed background ambient music! Where can I buy it? :)

Hey if you dont like the speakers you could put grip tape on it and make it a great palm rest since you can turn it off

You don't know what I do in my hotel room

WiFi !!??? Battery!!???
That’s it I’m Trading my one for a live 2

Program Edit is the only button I really miss on the MPC Live 2. I wish the firmware would allow you to reassign useless buttons like Plus and Minus for that. Other than that I would argue that the Live 2 has as good of a or even a better workflow vs the MPC One because of the more practical placement of the touchscreen and q-link wheels.

Can MPC One support multiple midi ports via USB MIDI HUB 4 Ports 64x Channels sequencer?

I am waiting for the MPC LIVE 3. Akai! make sure you include the pre amplifier and more dedicated buttons on the MPC LIVE 3

Is it possible to map a midi controller on a Akai MPC Live without a computer?

I’m also a MPC one user. I think they got these models the wrong way around. The MPC One should have the battery, it’s smaller and has fewer connections so it’s easier to be mobile with a pair of headphones. The live2 is larger, more inputs/outputs and has a speaker so would be better suited to sit on a desk with everything hooked up. I also like the layout of the MPC One but I agree with Tefty that the shift would have been better on the left and the live2 should have a program edit button. I also never use the plus and minus buttons under the scroll knob. I find the master record and volume knobs on the back a pain and the headphone jack on the front is cheap (mines already crackling). Usb 2.0 connections can’t charge an iPhone (which I use for sampling or AU3 synths) and it should have a mic input. In fact they should all have mic inputs as standard. They are amazing machines though and I’m waiting for OS3.0 to drop with disk streaming and an arranger, coupled with a higher spec MPC One SE (with battery) hardware release. Now that would be good.

Great video! Love your channel!!

Which one is better for sampling, the Live 2 or the MPC ONE?

now that more time has gone by which one do you find yourself using more?

As a splice user I feel like the WiFi on the live II is a key differentiator, maybe even moreso than the speakers or battery. Really tough decision though and I'm still not sure.

Literally just pressed the "confirm payment" button on a Live 2 Retro after having watched this video (and like 20 others) about 10 times. It was a VERY challenging decision but I just wanted that fucking built in battery for beats in bed. Quite a price jump for a battery but it's the difference of feeling fresh air and inspired while sitting in a sun patch somewhere or being in the synth cave at a desk. To be fair, it's a lovely room, but the desk is too close to making it feel like work sometimes. I imagine that black rubberized coating is a nightmare to keep clean and potentially disgusting and sticky after a few years which is why I went with the Retro. This is my first box outside of the Elektron world so I'm feeling pretty intimidated. I have a an A4, OT, DT and DN, and I really get along with the workflow but Elektron has a sound that I'm just not in love with. It works... I make it work, but I'm trying to get something a bit different and I think branching out could help. Fingers crossed. Thanks for the great videos and in particular this review, it was very helpful.

so basically Mpc one and Live 2 are the same ??

The 2.10 update for the mpc one Live and X changed all that, its 10 times better now. All do just about the same. The live 2 is cool I started to get that one but the battery in the live 2 is what I had a problem with. Battery life dies out after a while. I don't want to be in the middle of doing an important project while mobile with it not being plugged in and the battery goes out and not to mention going through the hussle of getting the battery replaced.

Speak too fast want to sell us smth ?

Hey, I have a USB mic with its own interface built in, would this work on the Live 2?

Can someone tell me if there’s much a difference for this type of workflow: I like making a beat and then for a final mix I’ll run it through like 4 filters (basic eq for drops, beat echo for break beats, reverb/delay for spacey moments, grain delay, etc.) and I like to be able to switch between those quick with my knobs accessible. Is there really going to be a difference? If not I think it’s for the live II 100%.

Feedback very much appreciated!!

I'm still can't decide which one to get. Love all the features on the Live 2,but the cost of the One will make it easier to get more gear 😄. But seriously, it is a damn hard decision. I am only leaning to the One just because of the cost.

'There's LIDDERLY a battery in here'

Phew, glad it's not for one of those non-literal batteries!

Live 2 it’s ideal to move on my X is way big for a gig